Small portable generator - RV-Dreams Community Forum

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Small portable generator

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are a number of possibilities. However, you will probably want one that has a low decibel setting. For instance, some of the Honda generators have an "ECO" switch that really cuts down the noise. We have an EU3000IS and with that switch activated, we can have a conversation within 6 feet of the generator at normal voice levels.

Here is a link to Honda's webpage with regards to the generators.

Honda Generators

For what you have described that you want to do, I wouldn't go any bigger than the EU2000.

While I know nothing about them, I understand that the Yamaha generators are also good quality and are also capable of being set to be quiet.

Terry

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yeah, I'm looking around the 2000 size. I've looked at a couple Honda's but I guess I'm still too poor for them. hmm I wish, I could afford a Honda because I know they are reliable. I have a Coleman with a Subaru engine but it's a 5500 and way too heavy for just me to cart around. I would like to quiet things down a bit even though it's usually just going to be needed out on our hunting land on extended stays to recharge batteries. Anyone tried a Champion generator? How about the Sportsman that Tractor Supply carries?

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Champions are loud also. Ours is a 3500 I think, and it is way too loud for use with near neighbors, except during daylight hours and with understanding neighbors. Maybe offer for them to recharge off your genset while it is running.

makntracks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, 53 Merc, I was affraid of that but I did find one that was around 65dB. I wonder if I can find it again...

I think it will be alright anyway because it's just us on our land and we've always used the bigger generator but it's overkill in the winter when we don't need AC and we are only recharging batteries during 2 week stays. Although, it would be nice to have something more quiet and therefore more versatile to take to "primitive" state park campgrounds. I guess I have quite an issue...expensive quiet model or cheaper and noisy with limited applications.

Hmmm...generator or exhaust brake....lol

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cheap. Small. Quiet. Pick two :)

We had a Honda 2000 on our last travel trailer that we full timed in, and loved it. Thought it pricey at first, but worth every penny. We actually converted ours to run off propane so we didn't have to carry another fuel source (we had a diesel tow vehicle at the time).

- Cherie

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Look up chinese 3000 inverter generators.

There are honda clones being made for about half the price.
BUT, you take a chance that it will last 1 year or 1 hour.
I have one that will run the camper including AC, but I don't depend on it.
It is quite, starts on the 2nd pull, runs 8 hours on less than a full load.
With all this said,

I'm saving my pennys to go with a Kipor or Yamaha 3600 (AC and microwave!)

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a King 2000 watt inverter type generator it`s in a plastic case with a handle not to heavy and not to load noise level is like the honda of the same size I think they are around 500or 600 hundered canadian!!

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

My first generator was a Honda 1000. We had a 23ft TT with two 12v batteries. This generator was very quiet and would allow us to use lights, TV and VCR but not a microwave or most other small appliances. We used an inverter for those needs.

I would run the generator about 4 hours to charge the batteries during the day. I would run it again at night while we watched TV.

Now we have two Honda 2000s with the parallel kit so we can run A/C or whatever else we need.